Enzo Maresca offered no assurances over Nicolas Jackson’s long-term future at Chelsea as the striker continues to be linked with an exit.
Jackson scored ten Premier League goals last season under Maresca, but faces added competition this term after the summer signings of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro.
The Senegalese international only arrived in 2023 for £32m, but Chelsea are now said to be willing to cash in on the striker if a suitable bid comes in.
Newcastle United have been heavily linked with a move for Jackson as they desperately look to sign a striker after missing out on several of their other targets.
Jackson is reportedly keen to stay at Stamford Bridge and fight for his place in the starting XI, but Maresca admitted that all options are still on the table.
Your ultimate guide to the football season
In The Mixer: Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every week – click here and sign up before Friday to make sure you don’t miss the first edition.
‘Nico is okay. I think as I just said, when the transfer window is open – unfortunately, or fortunately – anything can happen,’ Maresca said when asked about speculation linking Jackson with an exit.
‘This also involves Nico’s situation.
‘At the moment we also have had two strikers arrive – Joao and Liam – so we’ll see what happens.’
After a delayed summer break due to their progress in the Club World Cup, Chelsea only returned for pre-season on Monday, giving them just 13 days to prepare for their first Premier League game against Crystal Palace.
The Blues will have just two warm-up friendlies, their first coming against Bayer Leverkusen on Friday, but already have issues to contend with after Levi Colwill picked up an injury in their first session back.
‘We had a problem the last two days with Levi Colwill,’ Maresca confirmed.
‘We don’t know how long he is going to be out. Hopefully not too long, but for sure it’s a problem for us.
‘It was the first session on Monday, just in the last moments he felt something but we need to wait and we’ll see.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.